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Guide · EU AI Act · Deadlines

EU AI Act timeline: when each rule applies

The EU AI Act entered into force on 1 August 2024 and applies in stages until August 2027. Here's every key date, what it switches on and which ones already apply.

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Key dates

  1. 1 August 2024 · Applies now

    The AI Act enters into force

    Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 becomes law. Its rules then switch on in stages.

    EU AI Act Art. 113

  2. 2 February 2025 · Applies now

    Banned AI practices and AI literacy

    Manipulative AI, social scoring, untargeted face scraping and emotion recognition at work or school are banned. Businesses using AI must make sure staff understand it.

    EU AI Act Art. 4 · Art. 5 · Art. 113(a)

  3. 2 August 2025 · Applies now

    General-purpose AI models, governance and fines

    Duties for makers of general-purpose AI models (such as respecting copyright opt-outs) start, national regulators are named and the fines regime applies.

    EU AI Act Art. 53 · Art. 99 · Art. 113(b)

  4. 2 August 2026 · Applies now

    Article 50 transparency and high-risk AI

    Most of the Act applies. AI chatbots must say they're AI, realistic AI images and video must be labelled, and high-risk AI such as CV screening tools must meet their duties.

    EU AI Act Art. 26 · Art. 50 · Annex III

  5. 2 August 2027 · Upcoming

    AI in regulated products, older AI models

    High-risk rules extend to AI built into products like medical devices and machinery, and general-purpose AI models released before August 2025 must comply.

    EU AI Act Art. 6(1) · Annex I · Art. 111(3)

What this means for your website

Article 50 already applies. If your site has an AI chatbot, AI-made images or AI hiring tools, visitors and applicants must be told.

Free EU AI Act checker →Calculate your maximum fine →Does it apply to the UK? →

Common questions

When does the EU AI Act come into force?
It entered into force on 1 August 2024. Its rules apply in stages from 2 February 2025 to 2 August 2027.
When do the Article 50 transparency rules apply?
From 2 August 2026. From then, AI chatbots must tell people they're AI and realistic AI-made content must be labelled.
When do the fines apply?
The penalty rules apply from 2 August 2025. Fines for Article 50 breaches can reach €15 million or 3% of worldwide turnover.
Does the timeline apply to UK businesses?
Yes, if your AI or its output reaches people in the EU. Where your company is registered doesn't matter.